Louisiana Riverboat Casinos Can Come Ashore, Dry Off For Good

Driven by the discussion of competition from mega-casinos in neighboring states, Governor John Bel Edwards signed a bill into law that many Louisiana casino owners have been hoping for. Earlier in the session, lawmakers passed a bill that would allow the state's 15 riverboats to operate on land. At this point, it's unclear which casinos will actually make the move ashore.

riverboat (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The area of the state that stands to benefit the most from the new law is Shreveport/Bossier City. They have to compete directly with Winstar World Casino and Choctaw Casino near the Oklahoma/Texas state line. Right now six of the state's riverboat casinos are docked there. Now, further expansion and construction on land is possible.

The old law, which was seen as more of a technicality, required the casino boats to be floated out regularly as proof they were not land-based. However, operators have not been required to float out the river boats for about 17 years.